Pouring device

Abstract

A pouring device, e.g. a funnel ( 1 ) or a container with a pouring opening or with a sieve-like cover having a plurality of pouring openings is equipped with a light source ( 7 ) and a gravity actuated switch ( 6 ) arranged for activating the light source ( 7 ). The gravity actuated switch ( 6 ) is in its off-position when the device is in a non-pouring or upright position in which pouring is not possible. The switch ( 6 ) is brought into its on-position, i.e. the light source ( 7 ) is turned on, when the device is brought from its non-pouring position into its pouring position by being turned up-side down or by being inclined. The light emitted by the light source ( 7 ) is preferably coupled into a jet of liquid or granular material exiting the pouring device on pouring thus effectively facilitating pouring.

1 . Pouring device for pouring liquid or granular material, the device comprising at least one pouring opening ( 3 ) and the device having at least one non-pouring or upright position which is not suitable for pouring and at least one pouring position which is, relative to the non-pouring position, reversed or inclined, the device comprising a light source ( 7 ) and a gravity actuated switch ( 6 ) for activating the light source ( 7 ), the switch ( 6 ) being mounted such that it is in an off-position when the device is one of its non-pouring positions and it is in an on-position when the device is in one of its pouring positions.  
   
   
       2 . Pouring device according to  claim 1  and being a funnel ( 1 ), a container with a sieve-like cover, a bottle or a jug.  
   
   
       3 . Pouring device according to  claim 1 , wherein the light source ( 7 ) or one end of a light guiding means arranged for guiding the light of the light source ( 7 ) is arranged adjacent or within a jet of liquid or granular material emitted from the pouring device on pouring.  
   
   
       4 . Pouring device according to one of  claim 3 , wherein the device consists at least in the area of the at least one pouring opening of a light transparent material able to function as the light guiding means and the light source is arranged for the emitted light to be coupled into the transparent material.  
   
   
       5 . Pouring device according to  claim 4 , being a funnel ( 1 ) and further comprising a handle ( 4 ) and a pouring channel ( 10 ), wherein the light source ( 7 ) is arranged in the handle ( 4 ) and a handle part ( 4 . 1 ) arranged between the light source ( 7 ) and the pouring channel ( 10 ) and the pouring channel ( 10 ) are made of the transparent material.  
   
   
       6 . Pouring device according to  claim 1  and being a container with a sieve-like cover ( 31 ), wherein the cover is made of a light transparent material and the light source ( 7 ) is arranged on a protrusion ( 32 ) on the inside of the cover ( 31 ).  
   
   
       7 . Pouring device according to  claim 1 , wherein the gravity actuated switch ( 6 ) comprises a switch cavity ( 6 . 1 ) and a switching element ( 6 . 2 ) arranged to be moveable by gravity within the switch cavity ( 6 . 1 ).  
   
   
       8 . Pouring device according to  claim 7 , wherein the switching element comprises an electrically conducting material and wherein the switch cavity comprises first and second lead ends of an interrupted electric lead connecting the light source with a power source.  
   
   
       9 . Pouring device according to one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein the light source ( 7 ) is part of a lighting module ( 20 ), which further comprises a battery compartment ( 8 ) and the gravity actuated switch ( 6 ) and wherein the light module is detachably fixed to the pouring device.